Attn Facebooking Cheffers

Di_Can_Cook

Really? Wow! In what context?

My status has been updated to say something like this:

"Diane is opening her surprise boxes, which her friends were kind enough to send her from National Conference. Oil Dipping set, anyone?"

One of my contacts asked for a link to my web site, which I sent her by private message.

raebates

Excellent advice.

NooraK

I was also in a workshop (the PWS one), and the speaker mentioned FB, but did not elaborate about restrictions for use. Making it seem like it was OK to advertise on FB. I wrote on my feedback sheet about it.

pampcheflisa

The context was: "How many of you have Facebook accounts?"...(everyone raises hands)..."Well, it's a great tool to use in your business". "I posted on Tuesday that I was packing for National Conference. I just love Pampered Chef." "So, a friend from high school posted that she loves Pampered Chef too...."
Anyways, she went on to explain that she had this conversation with this friend about hosting and then found out she needed extra income and was waiting to hear back about possibly recruiting.
I'm not making any judgments, just found it interesting that she elaborated that much in a workshop.

jwpamp

The feedback sheets from the workshops go to the presenters, but I believe that HO listens to all of the recordings for all workshops. When I did one last year, I got an unedited copy on CD from them.

Hopefully they will let the presenter know...sheesh!

wadesgirl

I have used FB before but in generalized statements about shows, sales, etc without mentioning PC. I have also seen people blatenly name the business. Those I usually put on my ignore list!

erinyourpclady

I recently added 3 shows to my Sept schedule (my August is booked) by posting that if your a stone lover, Sept is the month for you! Never once was PC mentioned but everyone I am friends with on FB knows! I also just made a new contact in California because a childhood friend (who I have caught up with on FB) gave her my info....

I think you can be respectful on the rules and still use the internet as an asset to your business. I would never rely on it completely but it is a nice little bonus!!

pampcheflisa

ITA, Erin!! I think there are ways that you can use it to your advantage without disregarding policy.

chefann

Regarding the consultant-only groups on FB: I contacted HO about them. They indicated to me (I'll look for the email) that those groups are also against policy, because the "must be a consultant" requirement makes the membership list of the group a virtual consultant directory. And, as we all know, identifying ourselves as consultants online is prohibited.

Chef Bobby

I've got 2 new possible customers from saying that I was going to PC conference. That's all there is on my face book. If anyone would like to be a buddy I'm listed as Bobby Mayo from Prairieville, La. I welcome new PC friends.

ivykeep

There is ambiguity in the current rules since there is a difference between "linking" your personal web site to another site and listing it as a short time comment.

It's also extremely difficult to police customers who solicit THEIR facebook contacts for outside orders to THEIR show and post a link to the website as a way to get them or create a facebook event (that is only viewable by their friends list and until the event has happened).

I *DO* understand and respect the rules, (and the reasons for them) but as a consultant it can be frustrating to see other companies having a thriving on-line business because their direct seller companies don't restrict the use of a social network. In my opinion, it is different to post a link about a specific event or show that will disappear and is only shared with a social network (i.e., people who are already connected) than it is to open up your own website promoting your PC business that is google crawlable. The world is moving to a virtual model and I personally don't see much difference between networking by having my friend host a show and I meet her friends in her kitchen or meet them over the phone (if it is a catalog show) or through a social networking site. Quite honestly, I think their guests would get better customer service if they could deal with me directly during a catalog show, rather than just giving the host orders. But that's my opinion.

I expect that someday we'll catch up with the technology. In the meantime, I just add all my facebook friends to my email list for an intro email and "catch" them that way.

gingertannery

Let mesay that I do follow the rules completely.. but would love to see access to FB or other venues to advertise to our own friends (to start with) But they just announced a Florist is now advertising on FB and expect BIG returns.. geeze. I just feel it could only be a positive thing.... And I get red with anger when I see others breaking the rules!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is not fair for them to get away with breaking the rules!!! Until HO changes the rules.. they are there to follow. And I am all for turning in any who violate!!! Blast me for that if you want.. It matters not to me!! Right is right and wrong is wrong!! Simple!!!!

esavvymom

What irked me a bit was at conference, they showed how they (HO) used Bloggers to get word out and do some marketing....Uh...HELLO?!

Hopefully that is a GOOD thing and shows a turning tide in how they'll let us handling the new age of marketing and let us embrace it. I can see having guidelines- like you can't just set up online shop nationwide or something....but at least let us work in our "friends" circles, or within our local area (like local Chamber of Commerce sites who have online biz-directories).

NooraK

What I understood was that the bloggers were not affiliated with PC, which means they are not tied to our rules. But I agree, it's frustrating when they don't mention anything about the rules we're bound to, and we all know most new consultants don't read those P&Ps.

esavvymom

Well, I guess it comes down to changing the world- one person at a time, right? When WE recruit folks, since this is a subject that regularly comes up, then we as CS Cheffers- should be making sure our new team members are reading those guidelines and at the very least- point out the couple of rules we know get overlooked. I know we can't make them read it, but in the support calls, we can refer to them regularly. Thankfully, my recruit is great that way and she does her homework. UNFORTUNATELY, I know of Directors and above who don't even know or follow these rules!

*sigh* I will focus on MY business and not what others are doing. There are always those that think the rules do not apply to them- in all areas of life. I can only be responsible for myself and do what I know is right in my heart- because that reflects the person that I am and who God wants me to be.